RELIGIOUS  TRACTS.  No.  15. 


A  SERIOUS  ADDRESS 

TO 

CHILDREN. 


Published  by  the  "  Society  of  the  Protestant  Episco- 
pal Church  for  the  Advancement  of  Christianity  in 
Pennsylvania." 

FOR  THE  "  EPISCOPAL   FEMALE  TRACT    SOCIETY  OF 
PHILADELPHIA." 


Dear  Children, 

You  have  heard  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  Son  of  God, 
who  came  down  from  heaven  to  save  sinners.  And 
perhaps  you  have  heard  that,  great  and  glorious  as 
he  was — he  was  so  kind,  and  so  ^  .^jmble,  as  to  notice 
such  children  as  you  are.  And  when  hi._disciples 
were  sending  them  away  for  fear  they  sKoirii  be 
troublesome,  Jesus  said,  Suffer  little  childreii  to  comk 
unto  me^  and  forbid  them  not.  And  he  took  them  up 
in  his  arms,  and  blessed  them. 

He  called  such  little  ones  as  you  are,  his  Iambs;  and 
he  has  commanded  his  ministers,  if  they  love  him,  to 
feed  his  lambs;  that  is,  to  teach  and  instruct  them,  in 
a  way  suited  to  their  tender  years;  to  feed  them  with 
the  sincere  milk  of  his  word,  that  they  may  grow  wise 
unto  salvation. 

When  we  consider  that  you  have  souls,  immortal 
souls,  that  must  either  be  happy  for  ever  in  heaveni 
or  for  ever  misera{>le  in  hell,- — we  are  moved  with 
compassion  towards  you:  we  are  ready  to  say.  Shall 
these  dear  children,  the  lambs  of  Christ's  flock,  whom 
he  so  tenderly  loves,  and  for  whom  he  died,  shaW  they 


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perish  for  ever?  Instead  of  being  brought  up  for  God 
and  heaven,  shall  they  be  brought  up  for  the  devil  and 
his  kingdom?  Shall  their  infant  tongues  be  taught  the 
language  of  hell,  instead  of  the  praises  of  their  God? 
Dreadful  thought! 

You  were  sent  into  this  world  to  know  God,  and 
to  serve  him  here  on  earth,  that  you  may  dwell  with 
him,  and  be  happy  for  ever  in  heaven;  and  is  it  not  sad, 
that  you  should  be  ignorant  of  the  God  that  made  you, 
ignorant  of  the  Saviour  that  came  to  redeem  you;  ig- 
norant of  your  own  souls,  and  of  that  world  in  which 
you  are  to  live  for  ever? 

You  have  been  taught,  perhaps,  to  say.  Our  Father, 
which  art  in  heaven.  But  have  you  ever  been  taught, 
who  this  heavenly  Father  is;  and  what  he  has  done 
for  you;  and  what  you  must  do  to  become  his  chil- 
dren? 

Remember,  He  is  not  the  father  of  liars,  or  swear- 
ers, or  sabbath-breakers:  If  you  do  these  things,  you 
must  not  call  God  your  Father.  It  is  the  devil  who 
is  the  father  of  liars;  and  if  you  are  like  him  in  wick- 
ed .works,  you  must  live  for  ever  with  him  in  hell. 

But,  children,  we  hope  better  things  of  you.  Do 
you  not  desire  to  be  the  children  of  God,  to  have  him 
for  your  Father  and  Friend?  to  know  him  and  love 
him?  Then  let  me  tell  you  what  God  is;  and  will  it 
not  rejoice  your  little  hearts  to  hear  it — 

GOD  IS  LOVE. 

It  is  God  that  gives  you  every  good  thing  that  you 
enjoy;  it  is  his  sun  that  shines  to  warm  and  comfort 
you;  it  is  his  corn  that  feeds  you;  and  his  flax  and 
wool  that  clothes  you.  Have  you  parents  to  provide 
^r  you;  or,  if  they  are  poor,  have  you  friends  to  help 
you;  it  is  God  that  gives  them  to  you;  and— ill  you 
not  love  him  for  all  his  goodness  to  you?  And  we 
»an  tell  you  with  joy,  that  God  has  done  still  greater 


things  than  these  for  you;  he  has  given  his  dear,  his 
well-beloved  Son,  to  redeem  and  save  you. 

Jesus  died  the  cruel  death  of  the  cross,  that  yon 
might  be  saved  from  everlasting  death;  and  he  rose 
from  the  dead,  that  you  might  also  rise  from  the  dead> 
and  live  with  him  for  ever  in  heaven. 

And  has  God  so  loved  the  world,  has  he  so  loved 
you,  as  to  give  his  only  begotten  Son  to  die  for  you* 
and  will  you  not  love  him?  You  see  he  is  not  willing 
that  any  should  perish.  Like  as  a  father  pitieth  his 
children,  so  the  Lord  pities  you. 

He  pities  you,  when  he  sees  that  all  his  mercies  do 
not  make  you  love  Him*  He  pities  you,  when  he 
sees  that  you  love  sin  more  than  holiness.  He  pities 
you,  when  he  sees  that  you  will  not  come  to  Jesus  for 
pardon,  life,  and  salvation.  He  pities  you,  when  he 
sees  you  going  with  sinners,  in  the  broad  road  to  de- 
struction. And  he  says,  with  love  and  compassion* 
Why  will  ye  die?  Come  unto  me,  aiid  be  saved?  I 
would  gather  you  as  a  hen  gaihereth  her  chickens  un- 
der her  ivingsy  but  ye  would  not. 

Does  the  blessed  God  thus  love  and  pity  you,  and 
will  you  not  love  him?  He  is  pleased  to  hear  your  in- 
fant tongues  employed  in  his  praise;  he  loves  to  hear 
you  pray  to  him,  and  call  him  Father;  and  will  voe 
not  be  his  dutiful  and  obedient  children. 

The  first  and  great  commandment,  you  know,  is  to 
love  the  Lord  your  God  with  all  your  heart;  and  sure  - 
ly you  do  not  think  it  a  hard  commandment  to  love 
this  God,  who  loves  and  is  so  good  to  you.  Is  it  not 
reasonable  that  you  should  love  him  above  all  things, 
who  is  your  best  friend,  and  can  do  more  for  you  than 
all  the  world?  Are  you  sick?  He  can  heal  all  your 
diseases.  Are  you  poor  and  in  want?  He  can  satisfy 
you  with  bread  for  your  body,  and  with  the  bread  of 
life  for  your  souls.  Go,  children,  with  all  your  wants, 
to  this  compassionate  Father.    He  that  heareth  the 


young  ravens,  when  thy  cry,  will  surely  hear  yoU; 
when  you  cry  unto  him.    Say  unto  him  in  prayer— 

My  Heavenly  Father,  I  would  love  thee,  not  only 
because  thou  hast  commanded  me,  but  because  it  is 
my  happiness,  my  pleasure,  to  love  thee.  Whom  is 
there  in  heaven  or  on  earth,  that  I  should  love  so  well 
as  thee?  My  parents  do  much  for  me,  and  I  love 
them,  and  thank  thee  for  them;  but  thou,  my  Hea- 
venly Father,  canst  do  much  more;  thou  canst  heal 
all  my  diseases,  and  forgive  all  my  sins.  Thou  canst 
make  me  holy  and  happy  here,  and  take  me  to  dwell 
with  thee  for  ever  in  heaven.  I  would  love  thee, 
because  thou  hast  so  loved  us,  as  to  ^end  thy  dear 
Son  to  redeem  and  save  us. 

Though  I  am  a  weak  and  sinful  child,  this  com- 
passionate Saviour  invites  me  to  come  to  him. 

I  would  be  meek  and  humble,  loving  and  kind,  like 
his  lambs.  I  would  show  my  love  to  him  by  keeping 
his  commandments.  I  would  be  thy  dutiful  as  well 
as  thy  lovmg  child.  Whatsoever  thou  commandest, 
;fcat  would  I  do:  whatsoever  thou  forbiddest,  that 
would  I  avoid.  Make  me  like  thyself  in  holiness  and 
goodness  here,  that  1  may  be  fit  to  dwell  with  thee^ 
and  be  happy  for  ever  in  heaven,  for  the  sake  of  my 
dear  Redeemer.  Amen. 

SONG  L 

On  the  Scrifiture, 

Holy  Bible!  book  divine! 
Precious  Treasure!  thou  art  mine! 
Mine,  to  tell  me  whence  I  came; 
Mine,  to  teach  me  what  I  am. 

Mine  to  chide  me  when  I  rove, 
Mine  to  shew  a  Saviour's  love: 
Mine  art  thou,  to  guide  thy  feet. 
Mine  to  judge,  condemn,  acquit. 


Mine,  to  comfort  in  distress, 
If  the  holy  spirit  bless; 
Mine,  to  show  by  living  faith 
Man  can  triumph  over  death: 

Mine,  to  tell  of  joys  to  come, 
And  the  rebel  sinner's  doom: 
O  thou  precious  book  divine! 
Holy  Bible!  thou  art  mine. 

SONG  II. 

On  the  Death  of  good  Children  who  are  gone  to  heaven^ 

Happy  the  children  who  are  gone 
To  live  with  Jesus  Christ  in  peace, 
Who  stand  around  his  glorious  throne, 
Redeem'd  by  blood  and  sav*d  by  grace. 

The  Saviour  whom  they  Jov*d  below, 
Hath  kindly  wip'd  their  tears  away; 
No  sin  nor  sorrow  there  they  know. 
But  bask  in  one  eternal  day. 

There  with  their  golden  harps  they  sing, 
While  thousand  thousands  join  their  songs; 
Hosanna  to  the  Immortal  King, 
To  whom  immortal  praise  belongs. 

Almighty  Lord!  and  when  shall  we 
Be  brought  with  them  in  bliss  to  join? 
Thy  glorious  countenance  to  see; 
,  And  sing  thy  mercy  all  divine? 

SONG  III. 

The  Lord's  day. 

Once  more  we  keep  the  sacred  day. 

That  saw  the  Saviour  rise; 
Once  more  we  tune  our  infant  song, 

To  him  that  rules  the  skies. 
2.  What  numbers  vainly  spend  these  hours, 
That  are  to  Jesus  due! 
A  2 


6 


Children  and  parents  how  they  live, 
And  how  they  perish  tool 

3.  But  we,  a  happier  few,  are  taught, 

The  better  paths  of  truth; 
We  hail,  once  more,  the  plan  of  love, 
That  pities  wandering  youth. 

4.  Our  foolish  hearts  are  prone  to  err: 

Too  oft  v/e  find  it  so; 
O  may  the  God  of  grace  forgive; 
And  better  hearts  bestow. 

5.  O  may  the  God,  who  gave  our  lives, 

And  who  still  leads  us  on, 
Be  pleased  to  train  our  infant  minds, 
To  know  and  love  his  son. 

6.  Teach  us  thy  way  while  here  we  learn, 

To  read  thy  heav'nly  word; 
Bless  all  the  kind  instructions  giv'n, 
And  make  us  thine,  O  Lord. 

SONG  IV. 

Sins  of  Children  corrected. 
Some  children  take  God's  name  in  vain, 
And  early  learn  to  curse  and  swear; 
The  tongues  that  curse  God's  sacred  name,> 
The  worm  that  never  dies  shall  tear. 

Some  children  sport  away  the  time 
That  others  use  to  praise  and  pray; 
Vengeance  their  footsteps  shall  pursue. 
That  hallow  not  God's  sacred  day. 

Some  children,  cruel,  and  unkind, 
To  parents  disobedient  prove! 
How  can  such  children  hope  to  see 
That  God  who  is  the  God  of  Love! 

Some  children,  slow  to  learn  the  truth, 
Are  cunning  yet,  to  learn  to  steal. 
But  God,  who  hates  their  thievish  way{% 
Shall  all  their  secret  sins  reveal. 


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Some  children,  by  old  Satan  taught, 
Can  dare  to  use  the  liar's  tongue: 
Such  children  must  to  Satan  go; 
To  such  eternal  flames  belong. 

Two  sinners  God's  just  vengeance  felt 
For  telling  one  presumptuous  lie; 
Dear  children!  learn  to  dread  his  wrathj 
Lest  you  should  also  sin  and  die. 

SONG  V. 

Breathing  after  holiness, 

O  that  the  Lord  would  guide  my  ways^ 

To  keep  his  statutes  still! 
O  that  my  God  would  grant  me  grace 

To  know  and  do  his  will! 

2.  O  send  thy  Spirit  down,  to  write 
Thy  law  upon  my  hearti 

Nor  let  my  tongue  indulge  deceit, 
Nor  act  the  liar's  part. 

3.  From  vanity  turn  off  my  eyes; 
Let  no  corrupt  design. 

Nor  covetous  desires,  arise 
Within  this  soul  of  mine. 

4.  Order  my  footsteps  by  thy  word, 
And  make  my  heart  sincere; 

Let  sin  have  no  dominion,  Lord, 
But  keep  my  conscience  clear. 

5.  My  soul  hath  gono  too  far  astray, 
My  feet  too  oil^ii  slip; 

'iKeep  in  mind  thy  way, 
thy  wand'ring  sheep. 

*n  thy  commands; 


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HYMNS  FOR  INFANT  MINDS, 
1. 

A  child^s  hymn  of  firaise. 

I  thank  the  goodness  and  the  grace 

Which  on  my  birth  have  smil'dj 
And  made  me  in  these  blessed  days,  ' 

A  happy  christian  child. 
I  was  not  born,  as  thousands  are, 

Where  God  was  never  known; 
And  taught  to  pray  a  useless  prayer, 

To  blocks  of  wood  and  stone. 
I  was  not  born  a  little  slave, 

To  labour  in  the  sun, ' 
And  wish  I    -  :  but  in  the  grave, 

And  ail.m;  *  oour  done! 
^    I  was  not  born  without  a  home. 

Or  in  some  broken  shed; 
A  gypsey  haby,  taught  to  roam. 

And  steal  my  daily  bread. 
My  God,  I  thank  thee,  who  has  plann'd 

A  better  lot  for  me, 
And  plac'd  me  in  this  happy  lan.d, 

And  where  I  hear  of  thee. 

2. 

About  Godf  who  made  the  sun  and  moon. 

I  saw  the  glorious  sun  ai 
Frorn  yonder  mountr* 


